I think the problem is everyone focused on apps while an app is just part of the story. There is nothing wrong with building an app as long as it solves a real problem and can be turned into a business

Hello fellow entrepreneurs!
I am faced with the need to raise additional funds for my organization (GenZVotes), and was struck with a glorious idea: ask the other smart brains on this platform! If you know of innovative ways (which I might not have thought of yet), please let me know!

I do agree with John you need to think who cares more about GenZ votes - suspect it will be democrats. You don't have to push anyones plans but convincing them to provide some funding for the cause like this would make a lot of sense

Unless you ask people to support a cause they care about raising money (without it being a financial investment) is tough task. So either you sell people something they really want or find people who truly care about new voters

There are so many funding campaigns started by HS students that I feel like you really need to be creative when it comes to raising substantial amount of $ and go beyond what parents can contribute. I like airbnb cereal boxes idea!

*TECH POSITION*
Wavve Incubator is looking for a high school/college-aged web designer and IOS developer! If you're interested in using your skills to drive bold, Gen-Z driven innovation, we'd love to consider you. Our resident graphic designers, web designers, and IOS Developers will work with our portfolio companies and offer advice and expertise for their design/development needs. This is an amazing opportunity to network with our mentors, partners, and interact with other Gen-Z entrepreneurs (you can get volunteer hours too).

*Web Designer, IOS Developer, and Graphic Designer are three separate positions we're looking to fill. Please visit the following link for the job description and link to apply:goo.gl/for... oZZUzldu62

Hi everyone. Our new website is engagestem.org. Also, here's some more information about what we do:

Tech Literacy for Seniors is a program designed to help seniors become comfortable and capable with using their devices. We coordinate a network of chapters, led by Chapter Leaders and supported by student volunteers, which provide free tech help to seniors in the surrounding area. Typically, Chapter Leaders organize a group of volunteers and find a location to teach at (like a library). Then, they hold tech help sessions where student volunteers tutor the seniors one-on-one.

I just started my own small business, and I guess I have a few tips. Start a business in a field you have lots of interest and experience in. Without any interest it will just feel like a regular school project or a tiresome assignment you have to complete. Secondly, it would help to go into a type of business that is realistic, as most people don’t have the means or ressources necessary to do anything large scale or nationwide, stick to something that you love and that you can do easily and efficiently which is something that many people would like to purchase. Lastly, just do it! I have had my business idea in my head for a while, and I’ve been thinking and procrastinating on ways to become successful, but one day I didn’t understand why I hadn’t ventured on this path that I thought I knew so well, and just did it. I still have too much to learn, but I’m happy to say that I’m on the right path. Hope this helped, and feel free to message me with any questions!

I just feel if you start too early without much experience it may not add much value. I have had some ideas for a while. But starting and putting time and money into this is not very easy unless you have a real plan

Hi Camille - starting a non-profit isn't an easy process as it requires a lot of paperwork, it is easier to start a company (in the US LLC is the cheapest and quickest).

In terms of business plan and marketing it is a different conversation all together depending on the nature of the business, your goals etc. The first problem you need to worry about is who will help you create a company - perhaps your parents?

I'm quite impressed with the students' start-ups and NGOs I see here on RoundPier. But I can't still understand how students in such early ages start and manage their own companies. How do they come up with their ideas? (what are they triggers) Do they get support from their parents/ relatives or do they start on their own? How could they possibly get funding and other necessary requirements for their own companies? etc.

I believe there are a lot students especially in this group interested in the same questions. Can I kindly request from students who've started their own start-ups/NGO share their comments on the questions posted above? I believe it'd be very inspirational to all of us to see real success stories.

Hello Sohbet! This year I have finished high school and during the last 3 years of it I have co-founded a startup and an association. I think you came up with the ideas because I saw a problem or something that bothered me and I wanted to solve it. I always get the support from my parents. To get funding for the startup we applied to a contest to go to Silicon Valley to create it and they would fund it. And with the association we put our own money right now, but we are starting to find some partnerships with other assciations/companies/town hall. I hope my experience helped you. If you want to know anything else just ask:)

I think there was a good post below about this. There are some "real" businesses started in HS but very often you see a project or an idea which never becomes a business due to some of the reasons you mention above. And yes a lot of time parents help is the key

Hi guys! I am interested in science but would also like to do some more commercial research rather than pure academic. Are there any opportunities in start ups or large companies where I can do some basic research and also learn about business side of things?

Interesting question, personally interested with this. I might not give you the detailed answer but I think that depending on your field (chemistry, physics, etc.), you can go to companies to work for. For example, for chemistry and business, you can choose to go for pharmaceuticals, even finance (consulting is mostly about research). Your question is kind of broad since start-ups might or might not require particular research in science, depending on the type of start-ups (if it's something related to science or technology, then my best guess is just there would be research component (at least to learn about your competitors) but depending on the extend of its dependence on scientific innovation and stuff, the degree of research would differ a lot.
This is just my view. Happy to hear others thoughts.

There are a few opportunities we posted here like Draper internships or Monell summer program where research is more industry related. But overall agree with the comment above going after certain large companies makes sense as they do plenty of research which they use for commercial purposes. Approaching smaller companies is also great as they may need more help and generally can’t pay too much so more chances for high school students to get some industry exposure.

What is 'Fortnite'?: A look at the video game that has become a phenomenon
The game now makes more than $300 million per month — even though it's free to play.

If there’s a gamer in your household, you’ve likely heard of “Fortnite,” the multiplayer phenomenon that’s taken over the world — and the news cycle.
The game burst onto the scene in late 2017 and is now one of the most successful video games ever. Here’s what you need to know:

What is “Fortnite” and where did it come from?

“Fortnite” was published by North Carolina-based studio Epic Games and released in “early access” form last summer. That means it’s technically still in development, even though you can purchase it now for $59.99. The game is what’s known as an open-world survival game, in which players collect resources, make tools and weapons, and try to stay alive as long as possible.
The game is set on modern-day Earth, but most of humanity has disappeared. One of the game’s core mechanics is collecting materials to build protective fortifications.
A few months after its initial launch, Epic Games dropped “Fortnite Battle Royale,” a free mode using assets and gameplay elements from the main game in which 100 people square off against each other in a fight for survival — with the last living player crowned the winner.
This is when “Fortnite” really started to take off — 10 million people were playing within weeks of its release. The battle royale mode is what remains incredibly popular and what most people are talking about when they talk about “Fortnite.”

How big is it?

It’s huge. Epic Games has been quiet about the total number of players, but we know that as of January “Fortnite” had around 45 million active players across all platforms and that number is only going to go up, especially with the recent release of the game on Nintendo’s popular Switch console.
And that still doesn’t even account for the many people who tune in just to watch others play on streaming sites like Twitch and YouTube. There’s something distinctly watchable about this battle royale; its art style, mechanics and fanbase provide endless entertainment, and even celebrities like Drake are getting in on the action.
If “Fortnite” is mostly free, does that mean it’s going to run out of money?
Not anytime soon, that’s for sure. “Fortnite” gets a large chunk of its revenue from microtransactions (small purchases to buy in-game currency) — it’s making over $300 million a month at this point.
Microtransactions are in-game purchases that cost real money in exchange for in-game currency, which can be used to buy various items and skins (slang for how a player looks in the game). Even if a decent portion of players are only chipping in $10 or $20 for some V-Bucks (the game's currency), that adds up to a lot of money when you consider the player base of the game.
Why has this particular game gotten so big?

“Fortnite” is uniquely welcoming to newcomers, which isn’t true of all online shooter-style games.

Because it’s free, there are always inexperienced players jumping into a match for the first time. Sure, you’re probably not going to top the competition and achieve a No. 1 victory royale on the first try, or even the tenth, but you’re always welcome to keep on trying. You’ll get a chance to observe how experienced players act — when they build, how they stay alive — and have fun along the way, which is really all that matters.

And if it’s not for you, that’s fine too; at least now you have a better understanding of what the fuss is all about.

What does “battle royale” even mean?

Battle royale is a gameplay genre that uses strategy and survival elements in a last-man-standing arena, much like in the Japanese movie of the same name (or, more recently, "The Hunger Games"). It was popularized by the PC/Xbox One game "PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds," which came out earlier in 2017, and “Fortnite” built on that existing formula while adding some new tricks of its own.
In “Fortnite," battle royale means up to 100 players on a single map trying to be the last person or squad standing as the safe zones get smaller and smaller, forcing all remaining players together. It uses the building mechanics of the core game, so players can create platforms and walls to either get a better vantage point or hide from enemy fire. These structures aren’t impenetrable — you can’t just build four walls and a roof and call it a day.
“Fortnite” is played entirely online with real people, not bots, so every match might be a little different. This is part of the reason for its staying power, despite having only one map. This also allows the developers to make frequent changes and additions, with new “seasons” bringing new story elements and changes.

Is “Fortnite” OK for kids to play?

“Fortnite” is rated T for Teen by the Entertainment Software Rating Board, meaning it’s generally appropriate for ages 13 and up. Some callouts from the ESRB website include “players use guns, swords, and grenades to fight skeleton-like monsters (husks) in ranged and melee-style combat” and “Battles are highlighted by frequent gunfire, explosions, and cries of pain”—about what you’d expect from a PG-13 action flick.
That rating comes with a huge caveat, though, because online interactions are not rated by the ESRB, and “Fortnite Battle Royale" is entirely online. Obviously, only you can decide what games are best for your children, but you should definitely be aware of what they’re playing and with whom, just like with any other online behavior.

I think I want to give this “Fortnite” thing a shot. Where can I get it?

Because of its massive popularity, Epic Games is bringing “Fortnite” to as many platforms as possible. It’s available to download on PC and Mac, as well as all current-generation home video game consoles.
The Nintendo Switch version launched earlier this month, and it even has cross-play with Xbox One, a rarity. Sony’s PlayStation 4, meanwhile, refuses to join the cross-play party, but you can still play “Fortnite” with your buddies who have that system. That means you can play on your Xbox One using the TV alongside your significant other while they’re curled up with the Switch.
You can even download a mobile version on iOS, with the Android counterpart due out later this year. And, again, it’s free to jump into the battle royale, so why not give it a shot and see what all the hype is about? Good luck, and may the odds be ever in your favor.

Hey everyone - I have an exciting opportunity that I would love people to join!! Two friends (one of which already has a successful consulting business) and I are starting an international consulting business for science-related companies. We would love for qualified people with various talents in marketing, specific sciences, advertising, business, social media, outreach, technology, etc. on this website to join our team. All communication will online via Slack, Skype, and email. If you are interested and/or would like more information about this, please let us know by messaging me! :) Hope to hear from some of you!!

Interesting project, Justina - keep us posted on your progress and you if you have an actual organization/company that you have set up you can register and post your opportunities here so more members will see it